Youngsters rewarded with central contracts

Cricket Kenya has awarded central contracts to three up-and-coming players. Duncan Allan, Irfan Karim and Dominic Wesonga have each signed their first national contracts and will be part of the Kenya squad to travel to the Netherlands next week for the ICC Intercontinental Cup game and the two ODIs which follow.

Allrounder Allan, aged 19, was recently named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Under-19 Global Qualifier in Ireland while wicketkeeper-batsman Karim, 18, recently scored a fine century against Indian tour team Andhra Pradesh. Dominica Wesonga, 23, appeared recently against the UAE in the Intercontinental Cup and has been training with the national squad in recent months.

"These three players fully deserve their contracts on the back of some impressive performances," board chief executive Tom Sears said." Just as important is their desire and commitment to improve as cricketers and willingness to learn and embrace what the responsibilities of having a National contract involve.

"Duncan and Irfan will be studying overseas but both are at excellent universities with outstanding cricket programmes and national coach Mike Hesson will be liaising with them and their coaches closely to monitor their progress and ensure they are available for key dates when they will be needed for Kenya."